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How to make hot water a "resource” resource perception and the governance of contested common-pool resources in Beppu City

Yagi, Haruka LU (2026) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20261
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
This study examines how Onsen resources and geothermal resource are perceived and governed in Beppu City. Drawing on the concept of common-pool resources and its eight design principles studied by Elinor Ostrom, the research employs semi-structured interviews analyzed through a narrative-informed approach. As result, despite differences in the social and physical perceptions of Onsen and geothermal resources, both still exhibited key characteristics of common-pool resources. While many governance aspects align with Ostrom’s design principles, the findings suggest that these principles should be understood not as fixed evaluation criteria but as dynamic analytical tools, given specific resource characteristics and local conditions. Overall,... (More)
This study examines how Onsen resources and geothermal resource are perceived and governed in Beppu City. Drawing on the concept of common-pool resources and its eight design principles studied by Elinor Ostrom, the research employs semi-structured interviews analyzed through a narrative-informed approach. As result, despite differences in the social and physical perceptions of Onsen and geothermal resources, both still exhibited key characteristics of common-pool resources. While many governance aspects align with Ostrom’s design principles, the findings suggest that these principles should be understood not as fixed evaluation criteria but as dynamic analytical tools, given specific resource characteristics and local conditions. Overall, it shows that evaluations of geothermal development are mediated through existing meanings and institutional frameworks associated with Onsen resources. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Yagi, Haruka LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Onsen, Geothermal, Common-pool resources, Resource Conflict, Sustainability Science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2026:030
language
English
id
9230035
date added to LUP
2026-06-03 14:37:21
date last changed
2026-06-03 14:37:21
@misc{9230035,
  abstract     = {{This study examines how Onsen resources and geothermal resource are perceived and governed in Beppu City. Drawing on the concept of common-pool resources and its eight design principles studied by Elinor Ostrom, the research employs semi-structured interviews analyzed through a narrative-informed approach. As result, despite differences in the social and physical perceptions of Onsen and geothermal resources, both still exhibited key characteristics of common-pool resources. While many governance aspects align with Ostrom’s design principles, the findings suggest that these principles should be understood not as fixed evaluation criteria but as dynamic analytical tools, given specific resource characteristics and local conditions. Overall, it shows that evaluations of geothermal development are mediated through existing meanings and institutional frameworks associated with Onsen resources.}},
  author       = {{Yagi, Haruka}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{How to make hot water a "resource” resource perception and the governance of contested common-pool resources in Beppu City}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}